The Mom Crowd

I have a subscription to several parenting/mommy magazines. 5 to be exact. I have gotten all of them as gifts–some I really wanted and some I didn’t even know about until they showed up in my mailbox. I’m curious about what all you look for in a mommy magazine and what you like about them. I thought I’d give a summary of what the ones I subscribe to are like:

Parents: Probably the most popular mommy magazine. It has its own toy line! Parents seems like it reaches a broad range of moms and it has sections on different child stages, making yourself beautiful and my favorite parts are the “what worked for me” and the “embarassing moments” sections. I love the practical and funny. I have gotten several recipes from the magazine since they are usually quick and simple. It is also very commercial but I enjoy getting it every month and usually read it from cover to cover.

Parenting: Parenting magazine is not too different from Parents magazine. It has the same commercial and broad appeal. It basically has all the same sections that Parents has minus the embarrassing moments. There is a funny cartoon section in the back of the magazine that takes some aspect of mommyhood and caricaturizes it. I like this magazine too but wouldn’t miss out if I didn’t get it. I think choosing between Parents and Parenting is just a personal preference. Some may like the layout better in Parenting over Parents.

Mothering: I love, love, love this magazine! I fall on the more “crunchy” side of mothering and this magazine speaks to that part of who I am and things I am interested in; natural birth, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, living green, eating healthy. It only comes out 6 times a year but I wish I got one every month. I read it cover to cover as well and usually keep them around because the magazine has a lot of articles I refer to in my birth classes.

Wonder Time: This, I think, is a new magazine. It feels like the “Real Simple” style of a parenting magazine–not quite as commercial as Parents or Parenting– and it has had some interesting articles in it that are much more dad friendly than other parenting magazines. It still has a recipes section and covers some child products like other magazines do. The latest one had a funny article about why kids think talking about poop is so funny (something we are currently experiencing on a daily basis in my house–ahhh the joy of 3 and 4 year olds!), an article about what dads are thinking in the delivery room, and summer traditions to start with kids. I find the simple design and less commercial feel refreshing.

Cookie-This is also a new magazine and I would have to say the least liked. I don’t like the design and its focus must be to high income families–not families living on a graduate school budget (like our family), for sure. Last month’s issue had an article about redoing your kids playroom and all the ideas cost a fortune! It seemed a little unrealistic to me to spend thousands on an artistic play area for kids. It also has a high focus on children’s fashion. I don’t like the way the magazine is laid out because it feels like one huge advertisement. The only section I do like is toward the back where it reviews books for children. It has some great book picks and suggestions but I don’t think that makes it worth buying.

I always look forward to getting my magazines in the mail because when the children are napping or when the baby is nursing I can sit back and have some escape time. You may have figured out by now that I love reading so it feels like a little minivacation when something new comes in the mail. I always feel sad when I am done reading the magazine. Is anyone else like that?

What magazines do you like? What do you look for in a mommy magazine?